Change the World

We all know the story of the wise men who followed the star and the shepherds who saw the angels and then met the Savior of the world. Their lives were forever changed and the bible says that they spread the word glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. (Luke 2)

The wise men were seeking Him and had been for awhile. They were deliberate and committed to do whatever it took to meet the one who has been born king of the Jews and to worship Him. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Then they saw the child with his mother and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts. (Matthew 2)

Jesus changed the world. His birth brought about a season of change that fulfilled promise and gave hope like nothing ever had before. As Mary and Joseph witnessed the shepherds and the words spoke over Jesus at the temple, scripture says that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart and that the child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. (Luke 2)

As I was reading these passages today I asked myself, “Do I seek Him? Do I treasure up the moments with Him and ponder them? Am I marveled by what the Bible says about Him and how every single prophesy about Him was and will be fulfilled? Am I committed to the invitation to join Him in changing the world?”

A few years ago a movie series called “The Bible” came out and I thought it was incredible. A writer, Jim Wallis wrote exactly how I feel about my favorite scene in the movie.

“In my favorite clip of the series, Jesus sees Peter out on the Sea of Galilee, and boldly walks out into the water to Peter’s fishing boat. The incredulous young fisherman asks this guy what he is doing! Jesus responds by asking Peter to help him into his boat, and then tells him to cast his net into the sea again to catch some fish. Peter cynically says there are no fish today, but Jesus persists. Something about Jesus makes Peter decide to throw his net back into the water and, you know the story, the net is filled with fish! Over and over again.

Astonished now, Peter asks Jesus how this happened. Jesus doesn’t really answer the question but instead, puts his famous invitation to Peter — come with me and I will make you a fisher of men. “What are we going to do,” Peter asks Jesus, which is a wonderful question. And I love the answer Jesus gives, which is in all the promotions of “The Bible” series, “Change the world.”

That’s what we are going to do: change the world. Not just to save a few people from hell and get them to heaven, not to judge all the non-Christians, not to abandon the earth for mansions in the hereafter, not to make sure we all believe the right doctrinal things … No, Jesus came to change the world and us with it. To join him, is to join the changing of the world.”

The part you cannot see in reading about this is the smile on Jesus’ face, with His hand on Peter’s shoulder, as He looks out over the sea and says the words, “Change the world.” It is portrayed so well that I wanted to jump up from the couch and say, “I’m in. Let’s go!”

Being part of changing the world means that I will be changed as well. I will need to let go of the things that I hold so tightly too and trust that God knows best. I will need to obey when it doesn’t seem logical in my own mind and especially when I’m tired from trying to make things work in my own efforts.

Think about this, the Savior of the World is inviting us to join Him in changing the world!!! I’m sure He invites us with a beautiful smile on His face, fully aware of the adventures ahead and knowing that we will marvel at what He is doing as we treasure up each moment with Him.

A popular saying during the Christmas season is, “Wise men still seek Him.” I want to be among them. To be worshiping God and overjoyed at seeing Him. Then I want to give Him all the gifts I have and live a forever changed life as I spread the good news and join Him in changing the world.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for sending Jesus and fulfilling all Your promises. I’m in awe that You choose to invite us to join You in changing the world and I pray that I will embrace that call on my life and that I will commit to the changes that need to take place in me, regardless of the cost. You are so worth it Lord. Amen

Where does my help come from?

Matthew 4:19 (Passion Translation)

“Jesus called out to them and said, “Come and follow me, and I will transform you into men who catch people for God.”